Umahi: Lagos-Calabar Highway Direct Procurement Defended

• Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, confirmed the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract was directly awarded to Hi-Tech Construction.
• Umahi stated there was no public advertisement for the project, defending the direct procurement method.
• The Minister also addressed the cost structure of the highway and the demolition of structures at Landmark Beach.
• Umahi challenged the Landmark Beach owner to produce a Certificate of Occupancy to justify their claims.
• Other topics discussed by the Minister included allegations of sexual harassment and unspecified deaths.

Lawyers advising on Nigerian public procurement should scrutinize the legal basis and implications of direct procurement for major infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Highway, as the Minister's defense may influence future contract awards and potential challenges to procurement processes.

Engineer David Umahi, Nigeria's Minister of Works, recently confirmed that the contract for the ambitious Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway project was awarded to Hi-Tech Construction through a direct procurement method. This revelation came during a comprehensive television interview where the Minister addressed various aspects of the significant infrastructure undertaking. The direct award to Hi-Tech Construction for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract award has drawn attention, particularly regarding the process employed for such a large-scale national project.

During the interview, Minister Umahi explicitly stated that there was no public advertisement issued for the project. He clarified that the decision to proceed with direct procurement was the chosen route for securing the contractor for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This explanation serves as the primary defense from David Umahi regarding the procurement process, highlighting a specific approach to awarding the multi-billion-naira project.

The Minister of Works, Engineer David Umahi, offered a direct explanation for the selection of Hi-Tech Construction, emphasizing that the process bypassed traditional public tendering. His statement, "There was no public advertisement, it was direct procurement," directly addresses questions surrounding the transparency and competitive nature of the contract award for the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This defense underscores the government's chosen method for engaging Hi-Tech Construction for this critical infrastructure development in Nigeria, providing a clear justification from David Umahi regarding the procurement defense.

This approach to the Umahi Lagos-Calabar Highway direct procurement contrasts sharply with standard public procurement practices that typically involve open bidding processes to ensure competitiveness, transparency, and value for money. Umahi's remarks provide insight into the government's rationale behind the Hi-Tech Construction direct award Nigeria, framing it as a deliberate procedural choice rather than an oversight. The implications of such a direct award for a project of this magnitude are significant for future infrastructure developments and adherence to Nigeria public procurement law compliance, prompting closer examination of the legal frameworks governing such decisions.

Beyond the specifics of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway contract award, Minister Umahi utilized the interview platform to address several other contentious issues. He spoke about the overall cost structure associated with the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, providing details on the financial framework underpinning the project. Additionally, the Minister had previously weighed in on the controversial demolition of structures at Landmark Beach, which occurred in April/May 2024, a matter that generated considerable public debate and raised questions about property rights and due process. In defending the Landmark Beach demolition, Engineer Umahi had issued a direct challenge to the owner of the affected properties, demanding the production of a Certificate of Occupancy. This stance by the Minister adds a legal dimension to the demolition controversy, suggesting a basis for the government's actions and highlighting potential Landmark Beach demolition legal implications. Furthermore, the wide-ranging interview touched upon other sensitive subjects, including allegations of sexual harassment and unspecified deaths, indicating the breadth of issues the Minister felt compelled to address publicly. Lawyers advising on Nigerian public procurement should scrutinize the legal basis and implications of direct procurement for major infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Highway, as the Minister's defense may influence future contract awards and potential challenges to procurement processes.

Lawyers advising on Nigerian public procurement should scrutinize the legal basis and implications of direct procurement for major infrastructure projects like the Lagos-Calabar Highway, as the Minister's defense may influence future contract awards and potential challenges to procurement processes.

Source: Original reporting via TheNigeriaLawyer.